Travelling To Russia

[chokkie]

We're visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg for about 7 days towards the end of May. Just wondering if there are any essentials which we should be taking in our suitcase, in case they don't have them over there - or if they are really expensive to buy. We are usually fully stocked up as far as toiletries are concerned, but just wondered if there is anything else. And also .... what adaptor plugs should we take - the regular European two round pin variety? Cheers, Chox.

[Jackdaw33]

May be different now but when I visited 45 years ago we were advised to take toilet rolls and a universal sink plug. Mind you, we were staying in a university hall of residence and not a hotel.

[gingejbee]

I've visited the Soviet Union (as it was then) several times, including Siberia in winter (twice!).....but, back then, many things were difficult to get - but things that you COULD get were very cheap. I suspect that it's now quite the opposite...but I would take painkillers, plasters and other stuff for general health-care.

[gingejbee]

....oh, and lots of antibacterial hand-gel....hygiene wasn't one of their priorities!

[jim360]

Regular European adapters. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry over price. Last I went, things in Russia were dirt-cheap a lot of the time (even with the unfavourable exchange rate).

[Jackdaw33]

Shortages were legendary in the USSR. One day there would be a glut of the most basic foodstuffs and the next none to be had. People used to stockpile when something became available.

[Jackdaw33]

...and whatever you do, DON'T use the public toilets.

[Gherkins]

I visited Moscow once many moons ago. I highly recommend a dinner cruise up the Moskva River.

[abdallahhafez123]

mobile charger toilet personnel washer toothpaste brush shampoo mineral waters light biscuits as snakes canned cheese and chips medicine for headache or flue sunblock and sun glasses

[Kidas]

Last time I was in Moscow was about 3 years ago, but it was then, and remains, a modern European capital.

You can get anything you want there.

Not been to St Pete, but I'd guess it is the same.

This site (below) is aimed at the US traveller, but may be useful

https://www.travelallrussia.com/before-you-go